For the 8th consecutive year, it will be the Hopkinsville Lady Tigers taking on the Christian County Lady Colonels for the 8th District championship. That matchup was sealed when the Lady Tigers got past the University Heights Academy Lady Blazers 66-43 with a big defensive effort in Tuesday night’s second semifinal game at Lyle Dunbar Gym.
Hopkinsville scored the first eight points of the game against the Lady Blazers and did not trail in the contest. UHA battled back to within one at 8-7. The Lady Tigers then finished out the first quarter with a 17-4 run to go up 25-11.
With only seven players dressed, the Lady Blazers were up against the wall in terms of the depth and the athleticism of the Lady Tigers. That would be a factor working against UHA all night long.
Both teams had their struggles with ball security and finding the basket in the second quarter. Still, the Lady Tigers would go into the break with a double-digit lead at 38-22. Three-point shooting was a big plus for Hoptown in the first sixteen minutes. The Lady Tigers knocked down six shots from behind the arc in the half.
Another first-half problem for UHA was foul problems as Lee Lee Love spent a significant part of the half on the bench with two fouls. The opening half could have been even tougher for the Lady Blazers if not for the play of Alicia Davis, who scored 13 points.
As the second half got underway, the Lady Tigers settled the issue with their defense. Hoptown did not allow the Lady Blazers a field goal over the course of the entire quarter, giving UHA just five made free throws as the lead grew to 49-27 heading into the final eight minutes of the game.
Hoptown’s inside defensive presence with TaRia Sharber, Ronnijha McGee, and Crislyn Murray did not allow the Lady Blazers any real scoring opportunities down inside the lane, forcing UHA to try and rely on free throws and threes.
The field goal drought for UHA continued into the early moments of the 4th quarter. Amaryia Bass finally ended the long dry spell with a basket with 6:15 left to go in the game, but by that time it was all over but determining the final score.
Kahtahvia Fleming had a big night for Hopkinsville with 25 points. Makaya Payton also hit double-figures with 15. TaRia Sharber just missed double-digits with 9.
Alicia Davis was the only Lady Blazer to reach double-figures with 21. Amaryia Bass and Kennedy Quarles added six points each. Emily Dilday had five points and seven rebounds.
With the loss, the Lady Blazers finish their season at 5-23.
Hopkinsville improves to 8-13 with the win and advances to Thursday night’s title game against Christian County. Over the past seven seasons, Hopkinsville has won the district championship four times, while Christian County has won three.
UHA – 11 11 05 16 — 43
HHS – 25 13 11 17 — 66
University Heights – Davis 21, Bass 8, Quarles 6, Dilday 5, Hoosier 2, Love 1
Hopkinsville – Fleming 25, Payton 15, Sharber 9, Earthman 5, McGee 4, Sheffield 4, Murray 2, Tullis 2
